The 40th Anniversary of Richard Nixon's Resignation in Pictures

From the Watergate break-in to Nixon's departure from the White House lawn.

On August 9, 1974, Richard M. Nixon resigned the presidency of the United States after what has become known as the Watergate scandal. In June of 1972, five men were arrested during a break-in at the Democratic National Committee's offices in the Watergate complex. The subsequent cover-up efforts, with participation by President Nixon, eventually led to his resignation.

President Nixon announcing the entry of American soldiers into Cambodia.(STF/AFP/Getty Images)

The Watergate complex on the Potomac River, with the Foggy Bottom neighborhood seen behind.(Creative Commons)

G. Gordon Liddy, former assistant to President Nixon, stands in front of the Watergate office complex on June 17, 1992. Liddy was a key collaborator in the break-in and served a five-year prison sentence for his role in the crime.(BENJAMIN RUSNAK/AFP/GettyImages)

A reporter (right) confers with a man in the shadows next to column 32 on D floor of the garage at 1401 Wilson Blvd., in Rosslyn, Va., where Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward had his clandestine meetings with former FBI official Mark Felt, known at the time only as "Deep Throat," the secret source in the Watergate scandal that brought down the Nixon presidency in 1974.(JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Former FBI official W. Mark Felt emerges to speak to reporters, with his daughter Joan Felt, on May 31, 2005, in Santa Rosa, Calif.(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein (left) and Bob Woodward speak to the media from the steps of Woodward's house, June 1, 2005. After 30 years of secrecy, Woodward and Bernstein have confirmed that former FBI Deputy Director Mark Felt was "Deep Throat," the source who helped unravel the Watergate scandal.(Win McNamee/Getty Images)

John Erlichman,Nixon's domestic affairs adviser, was forced to resign over the scandal in 1973 and was convicted two years later for obstruction of justice, conspiracy, and perjury in connection with efforts to cover up the burglary of the Democratic National Committee offices.(STF/AFP/GettyImages)

Reporters swarm Republican congressional leaders at the White House after they met with President Nixon on the afternoon of Aug. 7, 1974. The congressional leaders told Nixon that if he didn't resign, he would be impeached by the House, convicted by the Senate, and removed from office.(Official White House Photo by William Fitz-Patrick)

President Nixon gives a thumbs-up after announcing his resignation on national television, Aug. 8, 1974.(AFP/Getty Images)

Nixon with arms outstretched as he prepares to depart the White House.(Bill Pierce / Getty)

President Ford announces the pardon of President Nixon for charges stemming from the Watergate scandal and cover-up, on Sept. 8, 1974, one month after Nixon's resignation. (Creative Commons)